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This year’s Sports Illustrated cover model has been named and guess who’s smiling? Yes, Danielle Herrington is smiling from the beach to the bank. She’s not the only one with a wide grin. So is Michael B. Jordan who got the chance to congratulate Herrington. So is Chloe Kim who won gold at the Olympics.

Jordan is also smiling as he gears up for the grand release of the Black Panther movie. He and his acting cohorts are excited that the movie is already breaking pre-sales box office records. Kim is getting her smiles on for being the first ever female American winner in the Olympic event of Snowboarding.

Jordan and Kim seem to have fans under a spell of excitement from seeing their dreams go big. Everywhere you go people are talking about the movie and about Kim’s performance. Not to mention that Jordan put on muscle-mass for the role and Kim’s achievement celebrates the American Dream.

Their success reminds us of how dreams can go big with a fresh sense of purpose and a refreshed surge of passion. Jordan has been steadily building his cred with acting roles in Fruitvale Station and Creed. Kim waited four years at representing the U.S. since she was too young to make the last Olympic team.

They’ve got us feeling like a nation under a dream that comes with its own storyline. Maybe that’s one reason why so many are looking forward to seeing the movie. Whether it’s about the story of rising to power or the power in their stories fans want to keep a winning feeling going or find their own groove.

The movie buzz isn’t just about action spots but also about the Black Panther Challenge. Celebrities and everyday people are pulling together to get as many kids to see the movie. They hope something rubs off that’s more than a spell. We learn from Jordan and Kim that going from small roles to tall goals means:

Leaving something behind.

The story behind their success is one of focus and perseverance. They kept at it even when things took a hit. But it’s also one of leaving something behind. Jordan left his hometown of Newark for the Tinseltown of Hollywood. Kim’s parents left South Korea so that she’d have opportunities beyond her wildest dreams.

Preparing for something ahead.

In leaving something behind, they were also preparing for something ahead. It’s sometimes said that luck is where preparation meets-up with opportunity. Sure they might have had some lucky breaks along the way. But preparing helped them leave their comfort zone in order to experience their mojo zone.

Taking skills to the next level.

During the waiting period between Olympics, Kim kept working on her game. She worked on some things to get her performance moving closer to perfection. Jordan has also been working on his skills as a Director through his own production company. Taking skills to the next level helps make us built to last.

Making the dream yours.

The Black Panther character first appeared in comic books in 1966. Kim first appeared on the Olympics radar in 2014. Here we are in 2018 and there’s a movie built around the character and an Olympic feat tied to Kim. Things take longer for some compared to others but making the dream yours is real.

These days some folks have more reasons to smile. Some are smiling about Sports Illustrated’s cover and inside pages. For Jordan it’s in upcoming roles already lined-up. Kim has lots of Olympic years ahead of her. When things get stressful they help us turn-up the happy seeing their dreams go big or go legend.

Tip: When things get stressful, successful people turn-up the happy with fresh purpose, refreshed passion and seeing dreams go big or go legend.

Talkback: Which character in the Black Panther movie could have its own spinoff some day?

2018 ThemeThe Year of ‘Got Shine?’
Where The Things You Know and How You Flow Bring More Star Power for Sure

The anticipation is building for the next release from MCU – Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s the latest Super Hero character known as the Black Panther. Lots of celebs got to see the first screening in person. The reviews have been filled with superlatives as if it’s a preview for going from block to blockbuster.

Then of-course there’s Beyoncé and her Grammy-chic appearance. She wasn’t up for any awards but as usual made an iconic fashion statement. Boseman plays the role of king in the upcoming movie. Beyoncé rocks the title of queen in pop culture. But it’s their personal expressions that deliver creative excellence.

The Black Panther storyline has themes that make each character’s greatness come alive. Whether it’s in action-moves of a super hero, amazing plays in the Superbowl or breakthroughs on the field of dreams, the path to greatness comes alive in two success modes, Lifestyle and Lifetrack. They make things pop.

Boseman and Beyoncé have used these on the path to greatness. For Boseman it’s taken a few roles that weren’t crossover but were a stepping stone. For Beyoncé, it’s in her creative relevance and how she goes from ‘nothing to something’ artistically. Their amazing work sends chills or makes you wanna chill.

Who they are, what they do and how they flow are the sum total of how they express themselves. It’s the combination of their creative excellence and creative relevance that make them special. When things come together it’s like magic which might explain how their success keeps rising to the ceiling.

Over the years my dream has gone through a few climbs from sun-up to sun-down. Feedback from others has helped to tighten things up. The magic for writing this blog has gone from good to better. But the playbook that Boseman & Beyoncé have used on becoming their best seems to go something like this:

Conceive and go from zero to breakout move.

Boseman and Beyoncé have different stories for how they’ve built their movie/music careers. One thing common to both is first seeing themselves doing what they’re doing now. They conceived it in their minds-eye and visualized it in their imaginations. Then after a while, things went from zero to breakout move.

Believe and go from a ‘nobody’ to a rising ‘somebody.’

The space between what they visualized and what they delivered is in how they believed in themselves and in what’s possible. This helped Beyoncé go from singing in her living room to performing on the world stage. Not every dream goes that big. But dreams take you from a ‘nobody’ to a rising ‘somebody.’

Achieve and go from bottom-stack to top-rack.

Every time you achieve something there’s usually a lesson and a lift. The lesson comes from looking at the ups and downs to get there. The lift comes from seeing where you are compared to where you once were. Maybe that’s why Boseman’s big screen roles and Beyoncé’s showbiz journey are so exciting.

Receive and go from nomination to coronation.

Beyond the obvious star power, some think the movie should get nominations for the creative costumes, special effects or music soundtrack. Well just like in the movies, character development and creative genius have meant a lot to Boseman and Beyoncé. It’s taken them from nomination to coronation.

We celebrate them for making us want to sing, dance or feel like kings and queens. We emulate them in striving to better our game or biggup our name. Their hopes and dreams have found the path to greatness not by chance but by a playbook for creative brilliance that has helped make them famous.

Tip: Creative brilliance in your career grind and life dreams needs creative excellence to make you awesome and creative relevance to make you special.

Talkback: How will Boseman’s new role in Black Panther help better his game or biggup his name?

Basketball training camp is now in session! While the WNBA season is in playoff mode, the NBA season is another month away. In sports, stars rise to the occasion in ways that can be surprising. That may also be true for actor Michael B. Jordan who’s turned his hood life into a fruitful station in Hollywood circles.

Jordan’s made serious strides with leading-man acting chops. He tells GQ magazine “I’m living the dream, man. This is crazy for me, bro! The cover of GQ was something I always wanted to do as a kid -like, unreal.” He’s proof of how hustle helps build dreams, advance career goals and attract major roles.

He grew up in Newark NJ, at times having to sleep in the kitchen so the oven could provide heat. Since getting the chance to do modeling and smaller acting gigs he’s now in the title role of the upcoming movie Creed, A Rocky spinoff. Hustle for him was less about the streets and more about character building.

His breakout role was in the movie Fruitvale Station. It depicts the last moments of the Oscar Grant tragedy. He’s also had roles in All My Children,The Wire and Friday Night Lights. Whether building acting roles or personal character, he says he learned in school that discipline was the key to achieving dreams.

So what might last year’s top 5 money-makers in Hollywood or Hip Hop say about making it big? Chances are they’ve also used their hustle as advocacy for greater good. It’s why Jordan knows that to stand for nothing is to fall for anything. But to stand for something means everything for hustle to serve a purpose.

Hoops training camp getting set. Final rosters soon to be met. WNBA season in playoff mode. While NBA jocks not yet on the road. Stars looking forward to season rising. In ways that can be surprising. Might be true for actor Michal B. Jordan’s life-in-hood type. Reaching fruitful station and Hollywood circles hype.

With leading-man chops he’s made serious strides. Going places to GQ magazine he confides. Says he’s living the dream that might seem crazy. Folks bett’ not say he’s one who’s lazy. Making the cover a dream he’s had as a kid. Proof of how hustle puts dreams, careers and roles on major grid.

Grew up in Newark good ole brick city. Before Hollywood days and sitting pretty. Had to sleep in kitchen for oven heat. Now living large to his own beat. With modeling and acting his starting point. Upcoming title role in Creed, a Rocky spinoff joint. Hustle less about streets and more character building to anoint.

Breakout role in movie Fruitvale Station. Story of Oscar Grant that rocked the nation. Before that in All My Children soap opera story. Plus The Wire and Friday Night Lights TV glory. Whether acting or personal development role. Says he’s learned discipline’s good for dreams and the soul.

So what say last year’s top 5 money-makers? In Hollywood or Hip Hop movers and shakers. Chances are they’ve used their hustle as advocacy. For greater good and showbiz diplomacy. It’s why Jordan knows stand for nothing is to fall for anything. But stand for something and hustle can mean everything.

Tip: Hustle is not just about what happens in the streets but also about achieving next-level feats.

Talkback: Who didn’t make the Forbes list of top 5 Hip Hop money-makers that was a surprise?